Giants could get Wan'Dale Robinson and Leonard Williams back for Ravens game

There still are discussions to be had. But one glance at the excited smile that creased Wan’Dale Robinson’s face after Giants practice on Friday certainly left the impression that his return is, if not imminent, then in the not-too-distant future.

And when the rookie from Kentucky makes his return, he might not be the only playmaker to rejoin the surprising Giants (4-1). Defensive tackle Leonard Williams also could play in Sunday’s game against the Ravens.

Brian Daboll said Robinson was “making improvements,” and the 21-year-old wide receiver did participate in practice.

Daboll said Williams “had a good week” and thinks the defensive lineman is “a little further ahead” of outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, who has been battling a nagging calf injury.

Robinson has not played since suffering a sprained MCL in the first half of the season-opening win in Tennessee. Williams hasn’t played since the Week 2 win over Carolina because of a sprained knee.

Potentially getting either Robinson or Williams back against the explosive Ravens would be a positive. Having both in the lineup would be a boon.

If Williams plays, he will bolster the interior pass rush against Lamar Jackson.

“He just brings leadership,” said Dexter Lawrence, who leads the Giants with three sacks. “He’s a star at his position. He brings dominance to that position. It’s going to be a good thing to have another guy.”

However, there is a fairly significant caveat: Jackson.

The Baltimore quarterback has completed 63.8% of his passes for 1,067 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 374 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and two touchdowns.

“You have to be cautious with everything with this guy,” Daboll said. “The play’s never over. He can be in one spot and quickly be in another spot to choose to pull up and throw it [or] run. I think it’s going to take all 11 guys — interior guys, the edge guys, the [linebackers]. He’s just a tough player, a tough quarterback to defend. He’ll take his drop and if he needs to step up, he steps up. If he has to escape, he escapes. He’s a very unique player in this league.”

And, in turn, he has made Baltimore one of the league’s most explosive offenses. The Ravens’ 27.6 points per game is fourth in the NFL.

Which could mean the Giants, who are averaging 20.6 points, will be forced to match big play for big play.

This is where Robinson could come into play. In 13 games for Kentucky last season, he had 1,334 receiving yards (12.8 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns.

“I’m a versatile guy,” said Robinson, who noted that a final decision has not been made about his status for Sunday. “I can play a lot of different spots and that’s kind of why they brought me in here, to do a lot of different things.”